APTA honors transit agencies for rail safety, security, COVID response

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has announced the winners of its 2021 Bus and Rail Safety, Security and COVID Response Excellence Awards.

The awards recognize public transit agencies' diligence and innovation through their safety and security programs that serve as benchmarks of success for others in the industry, APTA officials said in a press release.

Agencies were nominated based on effectiveness, benefit level, innovation and transferability, with the top honor being the "Gold Award" for the organization with the best example program in safety or security.

“Their work provides a blueprint that can be implemented in systems nationwide and shows the ongoing commitment to improving safety and security for their passengers, employees and communities in the public transportation industry," said APTA President and CEO Paul Skoutelas.

This year’s rail winners are:

COVID Response Award
"Gold" winners:
• Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, Cleveland (heavy rail
 category);
• Trinity Metro, Fort Worth, Texas, (commuter/intercity rail)
; and
• San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, San Diego, California (light rail/streetcar)

.

"Merit" winners:
• San Bernadino County Transportation Authority, San Bernadino, California (commuter/intercity rail); and
• Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro), Houston, Texas (light rail/streetcar).

Safety Excellence Awards
Gold winners:
• MTA Metro-North Railroad, New York (commuter/intercity rail); and

• Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Boston (light rail/streetcar).

Merit winners:
• New Jersey Transit, Newark, New Jersey (commuter/intercity rail); and


• New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, New Orleans (light rail/streetcar).

Security Excellence Awards
Gold winners:
• Sacramento Regional Transit District, Sacramento, California (light rail/streetcar

); and
• Societe de transport de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec (heavy rail).